Canon 80D
24MP APS-C, 7 FPS, 1080/60p, Flip LCD
Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
Canon 80D (25.8 oz./732g with battery and card, about $550 used) and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
September 2022 Canon Reviews Canon Lenses Canon Flash All Reviews
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
Sample Images
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
Granite springs, August 2016. Canon 80D, Canon 18-55mm IS II at 50mm, f/7.1 at 1/400 at Auto ISO 100. bigger or camera-original file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely show these high resolution files properly).
Introduction
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
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The Canon 80D is a great combination of the light weight of the Canon Rebel DSLRs, with most of the advanced controls of the top of the line cameras like the 7D Mk II. The 80D is a marvelously competent camera that's also lightweight and inexpensive, which is why it's so popular.
The 80D replaces the Canon 70D of July 2013, mostly adding a new autofocus system and a flicker shoot-through system needed for shooting under modern LED and sports lighting.
Frame rate is the same 7 FPS as the 70D, and resolution is essentially the same as well (24 MP looks the same as 20 MP), and the 80D takes the same battery as most better Canon DSLRs like the 70D, 5D series and 7D series.
The new 45-point all cross-type AF system is a big step up from the 19 points in the 70D, and more importantly the AF sensors cover more of the frame both horizontally and vertically.
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
New
● Shoots through flicker; works fine under dimmed LED and fluorescent, mercury and sodium vapor and other screwy kinds of lights found almost everywhere from event reception halls to sports venues.
● 45 zone AF system, all cross points.
● 7,560 pixel RGB + IR light meter, also used for face tracking and other tricks.
Extras
● Wi-Fi.
● NFC: NFCTM2.
● 3" Touch Screen.
● Automatic correction of lens lateral chromatic aberration, distortion and corner light falloff.
● "Shutter durability tested to 100,000 cycles."
Missing
● No face recognition for regular AF, so you often have to select AF points manually for people pictures.
● No LCD auto brightness control.
● No GPS.
● No thumb-nubbin rear control as on the more expensive Canons.
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
Specifications
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
See also the full specifications.
Lens Compatibility
Canon 80D. bigger.
It uses all Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
It does not work with Canon's EF-m mirrorless lenses.
Autofocus
45 points, all cross-type.
Rated to work down to LV -3 in the center.
Sensor
24.0 MP
4,000 x 6,000 pixels native.
15.0 x 22.5mm APS-C sensor (1.6x crop factor).
ISO
Standard ISOs run 100 ~ 16,000 for stills and 100 ~ 12,800 for video.
ISO can be jacked up to 25,600 in either mode.
Frame Rate
7 FPS.
Flash
Built-in flash.
Built-in flash can work as a master controller for external Canon flashes.
LCD
3" LCD.
3:2 aspect ratio.
Power
The LP-E6N battery is rated 1,390 shots without flash.
Either of the LP-E6N (new, included) or the old LP-E6 batteries work. The new one has more capacity than the older LP-E6 battery, and they are interchangeable and both charge in the usual excellent Canon LC-E6 charger.
LP-E6N Battery (looks the same as the older LP-E6).
LC-E6 folding plug 100-240V 50-60 cps charger included.
It's the same battery and charger as the Canon 5DS and similar Canon DSLRs.
Size
5.47 x 4.14 x 3.09 in. (139.0 x 105.2 x 78.5mm).
Weight
25.825 oz. (732.1g) actual measured weight with battery and card.
Rated 25.75 oz. (730g) with battery and card.
Quality
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
Made in Japan.
Announced
17 February 2016.
Promised for
March 2016.
Price, USA
September 2022
About $550 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Also at Amazon.
August 2016
$1,199 for the body only.
$1,349 with 18-55mm STM.
$1,599 with the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens; $599.99 for the lens only.
Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1: $149.99
Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1: $249.95.
EW-73D hood for new 18-135mm IS USM: $39.95.
Canon Directional Microphone DM-E1: $244.95.
Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 $149.99.
Canon AC Adapter AC-E6N $99.95.
Also at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.
February~July 2016
$1,199 for the body only.
$1,799 with the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens; $599.99 for the lens only.
Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1: $149.99
Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1: $249.95.
80D with 18-55mm STM: $1,349.
New 18-135mm IS nano USM.
80D with new 18-135mm IS nano USM: $1,799.
New 18-135mm IS USM lens only: $599.99.
EW-73D hood for new 18-135mm IS USM: $39.95.
Canon Directional Microphone DM-E1: $244.95.
Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 $149.99.
Canon AC Adapter AC-E6N $99.95.
Getting a Legal USA Version (for USA only)
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
In the USA, be sure your box has a warranty card marked "USA & Canada only" on top as you open it. Under the warranty card should be two separate printed manuals, one in English and one in Spanish. The serial numbers on the warranty card must match those on both your camera (and lens if included), otherwise it is not valid.
If this card is missing, doesn't show USA as shown below or the serial numbers don't match your camera and lens, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. (The serial numbers on the camera and lens should also match those printed on the bar codes stuck on the outside of the box.)
Gray market cameras are the same product, except bought overseas at a low price and resold here by shifty dealers because they make more profit selling them.
Gray market cameras have no warranty. If your camera breaks, you probably won't be able to get service for it, or get support for it from Canon.
This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!
Always be sure to check your box while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources, so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed.
Canon 80D USA Warranty Card. bigger.
Performance
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
Overall Autofocus Distortion Falloff
Exposure Ergonomics Finder High ISOs
Image Quality Mechanics Noise & Vibration
Top LCD Rear LCD Playback Data
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
Overall
The Canon is an extremely competent DSLR, at a great price.
Autofocus
Autofocus works well, and has numerous menu adjustments, optimizations and settings just like Canon's pro cameras. You can fine-tune autofocus as well as adjust all the timings and priorities of the tracking systems.
It does not have face recognition in real shooting. It does not automatically select the correct autofocus area on the nearest eye on its own. In its auto-select mode it finds the closest object, which may not be the face. If you're a people shooter, you'll probably want a higher-end camera if you expect the camera to find the faces for you. I like this feature, however for nature and landscapes it doesn't matter.
Distortion
The 80D has automatic distortion correction, presuming you have the correct lens profile loaded.
It doesn't always remove all distortion. With the 18-55mm IS II at 18mm for instance, it only removes half the distortion.
Falloff
It has automatic peripheral illumination correction, presuming you have the correct lens profile loaded.
Exposure
Typical for Canon, exposure is great with low-contrast subjects, and usually looks best for professional use at -2/3 stop compensation for contrasty outdoor scenes.
Ergonomics
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
Ergonomics are very similar to Canon's top-line professional cameras; the 80D just weighs less.
Most of the same controls are in the same places, for instance, the unmarked rear dial controls exposure compensation and there are a C1 and C2 camera-state instant-recall settings on the mode dial — a huge step ahead of the $6,500 Nikon D5, for instance.
The [ Q ] button calls up an excellent Quick Control screen from which we can make all the important settings we need, again a step ahead of Nikon's top professional cameras.
Finder
Actual view through Canon 80D finder. bigger.
The finder is very good; everything is big, sharp and clear. The texture you see is the subject in front of the camera; it's not part of the screen.
The AF zones are simply black LCD boxes that can block your view of the subject.
It's bright and sharp, but sharpness can suffer due to the less-than-perfect dioptometric adjustment optics.
High ISOs
No news here; the Canon 80D works up to ISO 16,000 in both auto and manual ISO settings.
It gets softer as the ISO climbs, and at ISO 16,000 is still quite usable.
Image Quality
Image quality is top-notch; the Canon 80D has the same great colors and tonal rendition common to all Canon's DSLRs.
In other words, pictures from the 80D look just as good as from the most expensive Canon DSLRs; the difference is that the more exotic Canons may shoot faster or take more physical abuse, but the pictures look the same.
Mechanical Quality
It's very well made, and uses a lot of plastic.
It feels like a metal frame with plastic covers.
It's ideal; it's tough and it's also light weight.
This isn't a pro camera designed to be physically and environmentally abused on a daily basis. Take care of your 80D and it will last longer than you'll want it to.
Noise and Vibration
The 80D has a moderate amount of noise and vibration; nothing stands out one way or the other here.
Top LCD
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
The top LCD is legible, with a moderate amount of information displayed at a reasonable size.
The backlight button lights it with an amber LED.
Rear LCD Monitor
Canon 80D and 50mm f/1.8 STM. bigger.
The rear LCD flips all around, even for self-portraits.
It has no auto brightness control, so you'll have to turn it up manually to see it well in daylight.
It's sharp, clear and accurate, although not that big since it has to fit inside the flipping frame.
Playback
No news here; it's the same as Canon's pro cameras, meaning it locks out the play controls, even on Image Review, until you hit the PLAY button to unlock them.
The rear dial swaps images, and the top dial swaps ahead or behind by tens of images, and can be programmed otherwise.
Data
Card Formatting
Cards are formatted as "EOS DIGITAL."
I wish they said "CANON 80D," but I'll take EOS DIGITAL over "untitled" or "no name" of typical mirrorless cameras any day.
Compared
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
As I've covered many times above, the 80D is at a golden intersection with the best qualities of the smaller Rebel DSLRs (low price and lightweight) and almost all the features of Canon's heavier and more expensive professional DSLRs.
I could go on and on, but in this case simplicity says it best: the 80D performs and handles like a pro DSLR, at a low price at an easy-to-carry weight.
80D User's Guide
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
Power & Battery
The charger is perfection itself: it blinks amber as it charges, and the blinks tell you how charged it is as it charges. You can see the blinks from across the room.
The charger LED turns green when done.
I wish all my camera chargers were this good.
Exposure Compensation
Standard on Canon SLRs and DSLRs since at least about 1990, just turn the unmarked rear dial for exposure compensation.
It's always active, so if you knock it by accident you'll alter your exposure.
I leave it at zero indoors or under flat light, and usually set it to -2/3 in contrasty light outdoors. There's no mystery or secrets here; just look at your shots on your LCD and adjust to taste.
Picture Styles
I set my sharpening all the way up, with each of the three sliders to their maximum.
I use the STANDARD picture style for everything. I set SATURATION to +1 for people photos, and to +4 for everything else.
Recommendations
Top Sample Images Intro Specifications
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
The Canon 80D is a magnificent combination of the best features of all Canon DSLRs. This is funny, because the 80D is probably the best Canon DSLR for most people, but writing a review, it doesn't actually excel at any one thing. It's got 90% or what a $6,000 1DX II has and is almost as small, light and inexpensive as a Rebel T6, but for that honor isn't actually the best at any one thing while the 80D may be the best Canon DSLR overall.
It's best for most people because it has almost all the features and technical and ergonomic capabilities of Canon's top pro cameras, but built more lightly than them so it's easier to carry and costs less.
If you earn 100% of your living with your camera and beat it to death on a daily basis and carry it in rain and blowing sand 7 days a week, get a 1DX Mk II which is built to take the abuse, but if you actually take care of your gear, this 80D gives you most of the performance for 98% of what you'll be shooting at a fraction of the price, and the lighter weight will encourage you to carry it longer and farther which will result in better pictures. If you're more relaxed after carrying this all day, you'll continue to make better pictures than if you burdened yourself with a heavier camera.
The Rebels, like the SL1, 6T, 6Ti, 6Ts and 5Ti, also take superb photos, but lack controls that are important to serious photographers, like the rear dial that allows instant exposure compensation adjustment, and they lack the C1 and C2 programmable instant recall settings that let us reconfigure the 80D to different kinds of shots instantly. If you have no idea what these features are, then get a Rebel and save some money, but if you're like me and use these controls, consider the 80D which has the same controls as the pro cameras, for a fraction of the price.
I'd get mine used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or possibly at Amazon.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. I use and recommend the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken Rockwell.
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